This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Amelia Guillem is a New York based writer passionate about stories where heroines can make a difference in the world. When she's not slinging words, you might find her slinging spells in video games. The coming-of-age Dolyn fantasy series is now available everywhere.

Book Review

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Legacy of Dolyn by Amelia Guillem is the first book in The Unparalleled Sorcery of a Sorceress series. Glen had an ordinary job working as a secretary at the police department until she breaks the rules, loses her job, and meets a talking cat. She discovers she has powers and the cat seems to think she needs a training regime. Turns out the fate of the world is at stake if she says no. So now she must forsake her normal life to devote herself to harnessing her new abilities and find out just what it is she's capable of. After tragedy strikes, Glen turns to new friends to discover her role in the fate of the world and uncover shocking secrets of her family's history.

Amelia Guillem has a unique style and an upbeat sarcastic voice, making for a delightful read. The style is formatted to where it reads like journal entries with Glen as the narrator. Even in scenes where the focus is on other characters, she interjects in a way that breaks the fourth wall with her often commenting how she's not a part of the story. The scenes are quick and action-packed. Glen's commentary throughout sets a charming tone while also providing a great deal of humor and often breaks the tension of serious moments. Glen has a lot of attitude and this is clear in the tone of the story. She has a wall up that slowly comes down as she forms a family and finds herself. This is a strange world with talking cats, fireballs, spirits, and sorcerers, but Guillem completely owns it and everything just fits together.

The story has grittiness to it with a darkness among the eccentricities and doesn't shy away from loss. While dealing with the strangeness of a talking cat invading her life, Glen also deals with tragedy when an explosion occurs. She begins having visions and can create fireballs, which match her personality while also showing her progression into a hero. The characters are unique, quirky, and charming. The talking cat is a unique character with secrets and sass, and breaks the mold of unique ... being a spirit inside a stuffed animal toy. Maury and Aster play a key role in how the story progresses as both form bonds with Glen. Romance is almost a part of the story, but it feels more like flirtation which is fun and carefree, than actual intense romance. Legacy of Dolyn is a journey of self-discovery following Glen's adventure to find herself, form a family, and save the world.